This great circuit walk enjoys some views of Cowan Creek and explores the many ferns through the open forest. The walk starts at the Kalkari Discovery Centre and follows the Birrawanna Loop Track down to Bobbin Head, a large picnic area with kiosk, toilets, BBQ's and more. The walk then continues up through the bush to the National Park Regional Office, before returning to the Kalkari. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
Car (A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.)
Directions
From Pacific Motorway, M1
Turn on to Ku-Ring-Gai Chase Road Offramp then drive for 530 m
Keep right onto Ku-Ring-Gai Chase Road Offramp and drive for another 3.4 km
Getting started From the front of the 'Kalkari' centre, this walk heads gently downhill through the car park, keeping the Ku-ring-gai Chase Road to your left, to walk past the 'Kalkari Bush Discovery Track' map to the 'Birrawanna Track' sign at the far end of the car park. This walk now follows the 'Birrawanna Track' sign to the SW corner of the Kalkari enclosure fence and follows the fence for just shy of 400m to step down off a rock platform and continue along the fence for another 150m to the NW corner of the enclosure fence. Here the walk leaves the fence and follows the track as it gently undulates through the wooded forest following the occasional timber step for just over 350m to come to a clear four-way intersection where a sign points back to the 'Kalkari Visitor Centre'. From the intersection this walk follows the 'Bobbin Head' arrow post east along the track as it almost immediately passes under a set of power lines. The track starts to wind downhill, down a number of timber steps for about 250m where the sandy track flattens out again to come to a three-way intersection marked with a 'Kalkari' sign point back up the hill.....
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start.
Kalkari Discovery Centre (about 35 m back from the start).
Kalkari Discovery Centre is in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, on Ku-Ring-Gai Chase Road, Mt Colah. The discovery center is staffed by volunteers from Chase Alive. The center boasts some interesting flora and fauna displays inside, and out the back is a large enclosure with emu, kangaroos and other native animals roaming around. Take time to explore the wheelchair-accessible circuit within the fence. There are toilets at the centre. For information, phone 02 9472 9300. There are picnic tables, seats and drinking fountain at the front. There is a large car parking area at the front of the centre with two designated mobility parking bays.
Toilet Accessible (about 15 m back from the start).
Shared male/female wheelchair accessible toilet. Entrance is 87cm wide (with 2cm step up), hand basin 85cm high, toilet seat 42cm high with a handrail, in a 1.57x1.64m room. The toilet is located behind a locked gate.
After another 20 m find the "Toilet" (10 m on your right).
Separate male and female toilet blocks. Each block has entrance 101cm wide, hall is 91cm wide, 2 hand basins 87cm high, 2 toilet seats 42cm high. Male toilet has a urinal. No handrails.
After another 20 m find the "Potable Water" (on your left).
A drinking fountain, 1m high, not working in June 2016.
Then pass the "Kalkari Carpark" (9 m on your right).
After another 20 m find the "Kalkari Picnic Area" (10 m on your right).
Out the back of the Kalkari Visitor Center is a fenced animal enclosure and a small seating area. There are some information signs and some seats. There is also a covered 3D terrain map of the area.
Turn right.
Then find the "Parking Accessible" (on your right).
There are many car parking bays at the front of the Kalkari Visitor Center. There are two marked mobility parking bays, they are 3m wide and 5m deep with a rough asphalt surface.
After another 35 m turn right.
After another 35 m turn right, to head along Birrawanna Track.
After another 460 m find the "Kalkari Outlook" (70 m on your right).
The Kalkari Outlook is a fenced lookout with views over one of the Kalkari fenced enclosures. At times you will be able to see kangaroos grazing in the clearing. There are two seats with views over the outlook. The lower end of the platform is natural rock and the fence is about 90cm high.
After another 370 m (at the intersection of Birrawanna Track & Birrawanna Trail) continue straight, to head along Birrawanna Track.
After another 225 m continue straight, to head along Birrawanna Track.
After another 430 m veer left, to head along Birrawanna Track.
After another 195 m head down the 35 steps (about 30 m long)
After another 9 m head down the 50 steps (about 60 m long)
After another 25 m head down the 21 steps (about 25 m long)
After another 80 m head down the 18 steps (about 9 m long)
After another 30 m head down the 26 steps (about 30 m long)
Then head down the 19 steps (about 15 m long)
After another 15 m head down the 8 steps (about 5 m long)
After another 15 m head down the 46 steps (about 7 m long)
After another 30 m head up the 48 steps (about 40 m long)
Then head up the 12 concrete steps (about 5 m long)
After another 10 m find the "Bobbin Inn Cafe" (25 m on your left).
At the centre of Bobbin Head picnic area, in the old 'Bobbin Inn' building, is a cafe offering inside and outdoor dining, and a range of foods and drinks. Food includes fish and chips, wraps, focaccia, sandwiches and snack foods. Tea, coffee and cold drinks are also on offer. Opening hours are 9 - 4pm Mon to Fri (closed Tuesdays) & 9 - 5pm weekends. For more information, phone the cafe on 9457 7170.
The NPWS Bobbin Head Information Centre is open 7 days a week (closed Christmas Day) 10 - 4pm (closed 12 - 12:30pm lunch).
Ramp access available on the southwestern corner of the building. Ramp access to the information centre through the cafe.
Turn right.
After another 200 m pass the picnic table (10 m on your left).
Then find the "Toilet Accessible" (15 m on your right).
Two accessible unisex toilet toilets. There are handrails, a basin with running water. Door is 90cm wide. Access is via concreate path from the carpark. The toilet is located at the edge of 'The Station' BBQ area.
After another 4 m turn left.
After another 135 m pass the picnic table (15 m on your left).
Continue straight.
After another 45 m turn left, to head along Ku-Ring-Gai Chase Road.
After another 75 m find the "Bobbin Head" (25 m on your left).
Bobbin Head is a historic recreation area which is still popular today, suiting the needs of many people. At the center of the Bobbin Head area is the old 'Bobbin Inn', built in the 1930s - it is now the park information center and cafe. The area is popular with picnickers, boaters, walkers, canoeists, family groups and people who like to fish. Bobbin Head is roughly divided into three sections (north, south and east).
Southern Bobbin Head is a popular picnic area for families and large groups. The area is surrounded by a car park and dotted with picnic tables, electric BBQs, shelters and a large playground. There are toilets nearby, and 'The Station' is a sheltered accessible area with BBQ and tables that can be booked NPWS.
The northern Bobbin Head (Orchard Park) area is a more formal picnic area. There is a large picnic shelter, surrounded by 14 smaller octagonal shelters, each of these divided into 4 walled-off compartments, ideal for small groups.
The eastern side of Bobbin Head is dominated by the Empire Marina and a public wharf. The marina is home to a nice restaurant and public toilets.
After another 15 m (at the intersection of Apple Tree Bay Road & Ku-Ring-Gai Chase Road) turn left, to head along Birrawanna Track (a walking track).
After another 10 m pass the "Bobbin Head Inn" (15 m on your left).
Then pass the "National Parks Information Centre" (10 m on your left).
Mo-Su 10:00-16:00
Then pass the "Welcome to Cockle Creek Lookout Track".
After another 115 m cross the bridge (about 3 m long)
After another 15 m pass the "Birrawana Loop Track" (6 m on your right).
Then head up the 30 steps (about 10 m long)
After another 10 m head up the 28 steps (about 7 m long)
After another 20 m head up the 60 steps (about 30 m long)
Then pass the toilet (60 m on your right).
After another 20 m head up the 12 steps (about 10 m long)
After another 60 m cross the ford.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Cockle Creek Lookout. To start this optional side trip turn right here. On returning from this side trip turn right when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 165 m veer left, to head along Birrawanna Track.
After another 370 m cross the ford.
After another 7 m turn sharp left, to head along Birrawanna Track.
After another 140 m pass the "Birrawana Loop Track".
After another 175 m head up the 17 steps (about 10 m long)
After another 45 m head up the 36 steps (about 45 m long)
After another 15 m head up the 17 steps (about 10 m long)
After another 145 m veer left, to head along Birrawanna Track.
After another 450 m turn right, to head along Birrawanna Track.
After another 225 m (at the intersection of Birrawanna Trail & Birrawanna Track) continue straight, to head along Birrawanna Track.
After another 830 m to find the "Kalkari Carpark".
Veer right.
After another 9 m continue straight.
After another 40 m turn left.
After another 35 m pass the "Kalkari Discovery Centre" (5 m on your left).
After another 20 m come to the end.
An optional side trip to Cockle Creek Lookout.
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start.
Continue another 115 m to find Cockle Creek Lookout at the end.
"Cockle Creek Lookout".
Cockle Creek Lookout is an informal lookout with no facilities, on the Birrawanna track in Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park. The lookout provides Glimpses of Cockle and Cowan Creeks. The area is surrounded by some beautiful gum trees and rock boulders, making it a nice place to sit and reflect on the surroundings.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 115 m to the main route.
Kalkari and Birrawanna Loop Tracks
Grading
Class 4/6
Hard track
Length
5.5 km
Time
2 h 15 min to 4 h 30 min
Quality of track
Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient
Very steep (4/6)
Signage
Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure
Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required
Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather
Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
Some facilities on route
Toilet: There are 2 on route, on average they are 1.8 km apart with the largest gap of 2.8 km.
Mostly sunny. The chance of fog and frost in the outer west early this morning. Light winds.
Fire Danger Rating: No Rating
UV Alert: Sun protection not recommended, UV Index predicted to reach 2 [Low]
Thursday 10 July
10°C → 16°C
Windy. Partly cloudy. 20% chance of rain
Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Winds northwesterly 20 to 30 km/h increasing to 30 to 45 km/h in the morning then turning westerly in the middle of the day.
Friday 11 July
7°C → 17°C
Sunny. 5% chance of rain
Sunny. Winds westerly 15 to 25 km/h increasing to 25 to 35 km/h during the morning.
Saturday 12 July
7°C → 18°C
Partly cloudy. 10% chance of rain
Partly cloudy. Winds west to southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h becoming light during the afternoon.
Sunday 13 July
5°C → 19°C
Sunny. 10% chance of rain
Sunny. The chance of morning frost in the outer west. Light winds.
Other planned events: Power outage in Ku-ring-gai Chase NP There will be a planned power outage in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park on Tuesday 15 July 2025. There will be no power to Apple Tree Bay barbeques or to Kalkari Discovery Centre. Kalkari will be closed as a consequence.
For more information, contact the local NPWS office on (02) 8448 0400.
Other planned events: 1080 pest management operation NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service will be conducting a baiting program using manufactured baits, fresh baits and Canid Pest Ejectors (CPEs) containing 1080 poison (sodium fluroacetate) for the control of foxes. The program is continuous and ongoing between Saturday 1 February 2025 and Thursday 31 July 2025 in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.
Please don’t touch baits or ejector devices. All baiting locations are identifiable by signs.
Domestic pets are not permitted in NSW national parks and reserves. Pets and working dogs may be affected (1080 is lethal to cats and dogs). Pets and working dogs must be restrained or muzzled in the vicinity and must not enter the baiting location. In the event of accidental poisoning seek immediate veterinary assistance.
Fox baiting in these reserves is aimed at reducing their impact on threatened species. Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the Forestville area office on 02 9451 3479 or the Lane Cove area office on 02 8448 0400 (business hours). Alternatively, call the NPWS after-hours call centre on 1300 056 294.
Closed areas: Berowra walking track partial closure Berowra walking track is partially closed from Apple Tree Bay to the Mt-Ku-ring-gai access track until further notice. There is a threat of rockfalls due to slope instability caused by recent weather events. NPWS is in the process of carrying out necessary repair works.
Berowra walking track from Berowra Station to Mt Ku-ring-gai remains open. Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office on 02 8448 0400 or call 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS).